LINCOLN- Charles W. Herbster has used Jim Pillen’s record on critical race theory as ammunition in attacks against his chief rival in the Republican primary for Nebraska governor. But the critiques of Pillen, a University of Nebraska regent since 2013, aren’t backed by much substance.

Herbster, a Falls City businessman, launched an ad last month asserting “Pillen approved a whole new department focused on CRT” — an apparent reference to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion was created in 2018, Herbster campaign spokesperson Emily Novotny said in an email, with the chancellor position created that December. Regents voted 7-0 on Dec. 4, with Hal Daub abstaining, to approve the chancellor’s recommendation to hire Marco Barker as vice-chancellor of diversity and inclusion and as an associate professor, according to meeting minutes.

The Herbster ad also asserts that Pillen chose a leader for that office who “praised violent race riots on university letterhead.” It uses the name and photo of Barker, who is Black. Barker declined The World-Herald’s request for an interview.Barker wrote about the calls for change and offered resources on campus for those seeking out conversations, counseling or information. He did not reference “violent race riots.”

The ad also claims that Pillen tripled the office’s budget. But regents don’t vote on department-level spending. According to spokesperson Melissa Lee, they approve an overall operating budget for the university system and every chancellor has authority over their campus budget.

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